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20 Things You Never Imagined You Could Do With A Cucumber (#12 is Shocking!)
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Who doesn’t love the fresh, cooling taste of cucumbers? Many people find that they can just slice them and eat them anytime for a refreshing treat that’s loaded with vitamins and minerals. Others enjoy putting them in salads, eating them as pickles, or adding them to a sandwich. No matter how you like to eat them, there is one thing no one can deny: Cucumbers are super healthy and have dozens of uses, many of which most people are completely unaware.
If you think that cucumbers are only for finger sandwiches and to relieve puffy eyes, we have some eye-opening pointers for you regarding all the wonderful things you can do with cucumbers. For those of you who planted them in your summer garden, this will be good news because chances are you have plenty to spare.
Let’s take a look at the top 20 things you probably never imagined you could do with a simple cucumber.
1. Get Things Moving
If you tend to get chronic constipation, cucumbers can get things moving again. Cucumbers are very low in calories so you needn’t worry about them messing up your diet or adding to your waistline. Cucumbers are also loaded with water and are high in fiber so eating some cucumber every day can really get things moving, and stop constipation in its tracks. Or put it back on track — however you would like to look at it.
2. Stronger, Silkier Hair
Cucumber contains plenty of silicon, sulphur sodium, calcium, and phosphorus, which are the vital ingredients for long, beautiful hair. To get the most hair bang from your cucumber buck, drink eight ounces of fresh cucumber juice each day (or eat at least half a fresh cucumber daily) and add some cucumber juice to your hair as a final rinse after washing. Allow the juice to stay in your hair for a few minutes, and then rinse with clear water. After three to four weeks, you should have longer, stronger, more gorgeous locks than you ever imagined possible.
3. Keep Pests Out of the Garden
Some garden insects really dislike the smell of cucumber. What can we say — they are only insects, what do they know? To keep unwanted guests out of your garden, put some cucumber slices inside an aluminum can. The aluminum and cucumber create a chemical reaction and an unpleasant smell that should send most pests packing.
4. Low-Calorie Snack
If you are trying to watch your weight, or drop a few pounds, try eating more cucumbers. Since they are mainly water, they are extremely low in calories and will fill you up — but not out. So when you are feeling hungry, but you don’t want to add excess calories or fat, try eating a cucumber. One cup of sliced cucumber only has 15 skinny calories.
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5. Removes Dark Spots
Cucumber has mild bleaching properties when applied to the skin. Although lemons will bleach the skin faster, their high acid levels bother many people, especially those with sensitive skin. Crush some cucumber into a pulp, and apply it to the areas of skin you wish to lighten. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then rinse with clear water. Do this daily until you get the results you want.
6. Caffeine Substitute
If you are trying to cut out caffeine but you are left feeling tired and washed out, try substituting a cucumber. Cucumber has a small amount of carbohydrates and plenty of B vitamins that can help revive and refresh you when you having an energy slump. Put one in a smoothie or simply nosh on a fresh one for a simple energy boost.
7. Non-Fogger
If you want to stop your bathroom mirror from fogging up while you shower, simply rub a cucumber over it before you hop in the shower. Who knew?
8. Anti-Cancer Compounds
Cucumbers contain three lignans, secoisolariciresinol, pinoresinol, and lariciresinol, which have been shown to reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer. In particular, these include colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. When we consume cucumbers, the bacteria in the digestive system takes hold of the lignans and change them into enterolignans, which bind to the estrogen receptors to reduce estrogen-related cancers.
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9. Kills Parasites
Although most Americans would be shocked by the thought that they could possibly have intestinal worms, the truth is that plenty of us do have them. Ask any emergency room doctor, and they will tell you the ugly truth. Fight back with cucumbers! Fresh cucumbers are known to be a natural remedy to remove tape worms and other types of intestinal worms.
10. Diminish Cellulite
Cucumbers contain phytochemicals and collagen, which strengthen and tone the skin. To diminish the appearance of cellulite, simply mash up a cucumber into a pulp, and then rub it on the affected areas while you are in the shower. Rub this mixture in well for about a minute, then rinse off. Do this each time you shower for best results. Find out natural ways to get rid of cellulite.
11. Help for Diabetics
Cucumber juice contains compounds that are used by the pancreas to produce insulin, which can be super beneficial for those suffering from diabetes. The copper content in cucumbers can also help to produce healthy blood cells as well as improve overall blood circulation in the body.
12. Stops Hangovers
This is a simple remedy that works remarkable well. It can stop those hangover-like symptoms, especially headaches. All you need to do is to juice a cucumber and drink it before you go to bed. Cucumbers are loaded with vitamin B, electrolytes, and natural sugars that will help maintain the balance in your body, which you upset by enjoying too many martinis.
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13. Stop Bad Breath
If you want to stop bad breath in a heartbeat but there is no toothbrush in sight, put a slice of cucumber on your tongue and suck out the juice while rolling it around in your mouth. Then chew and swallow the cucumber slice or spit it out. The phytochemicals in cucumber will temporarily kill the bacteria that cause bad breath.
14. Polish Shoes
No, we aren’t kidding. In a pinch, you can polish shoes by rubbing a cucumber slice over the shoes, then polish with a soft, dry cloth. Beats carrying shoe polish around all the time!
15. Improve Digestion
If you suffer from digestive problems such as heartburn, indigestion, gastritis, or even ulcers, many of these problems can be treated by simply eating a cucumber each day or drinking the juice from a cucumber. Cucumbers contain an enzyme called erepsin, which helps the body digest protein.
16. WD-40 Substitute
Although it won’t last as long as the real thing, if you need something lubricated and you are out of WD-40, you can rub a slice of cucumber on the area, and it will do the trick.
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17. Remove Unwanted Writing
If your kids decided your walls or table were great places to create works of art, you can remove most crayon, marker, and pen marks by rubbing them with the outside of a cucumber.
18. Clean Stainless Steel
Who needs chemical cleaners to clean those stainless steel sinks, refrigerators, and faucets? All you need is cucumber! Mash up some cucumber and rub a small amount over the areas you want to clean. Wipe off with a water-soaked cloth, and then dry. Your stainless steel will shine like new!
19. Supports Urinary Health
The water content in cucumbers encourages urination, which helps the function of the kidneys. Consuming cucumbers regularly can even dissolve kidney stones over time. Just another reason you should be eating more cucumbers!
SEE ALSO: The Benefits of Drinking Cucumber Water and 4 Delicious Ways to Make It!
20. Detoxifying
Cucumbers are about 95 percent water, which means that they not only hydrate the body, but it can help act as a system cleanser, removing toxins through the urine and sweeping other waste products out of the body. One cucumber a day is all it takes!
Now that you know all the terrific things you can do with the lowly cuke, you will undoubtedly make it a regular part of your diet. At least we hope you will!
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